Lawyers e-Journal
Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012
MBA showcases fourth video in series on court funding
Next YouTube post focuses on the importance of adequate funding in protecting the rule of law
The Massachusetts Bar Association has posted its fourth video as
part of its public awareness campaign on the negative effects of
underfunded courts. This video focuses on how adequate funding of
the third branch of government is essential to preserving the rule
of law.
"Adequate funding of the judicial branch is critical to the
survival of constitutional democracy," Former Chief Justice of the
Supreme Judicial Court Margaret H. Marshall (ret.) said in the
video.
Probate and Family Court Chief Justice Paula M. Carey's remarks
are also featured. "We need to be a vibrant, productive and
well-managed system that has the ability to deliver the best
quality justice that we can. And, we need to be funded in order to
be able to do that," Carey said.
Marshall later uses the analogy of breathing oxygen to explain the
value of the rule of law. "When you're breathing oxygen, you don't
notice it. When you cut off the supply, you'll notice it very
quickly."
View the fourth video in the MBA series below or click here.
MBA members are encouraged to reach out to their legislators on
the need for adequate funding in the state's fiscal year 2013
budget. Members are asked to use information in the MBA video and the MBA's online
resources when reaching out to legislators. Members are also
encouraged to share the link to the video and online resources with
colleagues and acquaintances.